The Dodgers are finally putting some runs up on the board (23 in their past three games) and have a three-game winning streak to show for it. Matt Kemp (4 RBI's) and Casey Blake (3 RBI's) were the offensive stars last night in their 8-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. As badly as they have played this year and as many players that have been on the Disabled List, they are still only 4 1/2 games out of first place.
Ted Lilly was the winning pitcher last night and I have never been completely sold on him as a major league starting pitcher (especially one worth $11 million a year) because of his style of pitching. He is a great change of pace pitcher to throw in the middle of Kershaw and Billingsley because of their power, but for Lilly to be successful in any game, alot of factors have to come together. His location has to be on, his mechanics have to be almost perfect, and he has to be able to effectively change speeds. If one thing is off, the chances of balls sailing out of the park are pretty good. His stats are never going to be sexy with alot of strikeouts or shutouts, or even a very low ERA but the Dodgers need him to eat up alot innings this year, maybe be a few games over .500, and it will be a successful season for him.
Rubby De La Rosa pitched a couple of more shutout innings last night, dropping his ERA to 1.80 (he has only pitched 5 innings). He has looked impressive so far and I would love to see the Dodgers send a spot start his way.
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